CELESTA

A TWO-BLOCK walk from Strange Town, Celesta approaches plant-based dining with a more mainstream lens. Chef/co-owner Melanie Manuel makes a turkey club sandwich with housemade seitan, a buffalo tofu sandwich and a Southern plate including mac and cheese and Southern seitan. But she is a flavor magician who knows her sauces and dressings and makes her own ricotta cheese. Her arancini (fried risotto balls), niçoise salad and constantly evolving taco plate make green dining approachable, fun and modern. Three cheers for her thoughtful, cosmic-inspired redo of the old Abu’s corner space.

1978 N. Farwell Ave., 414-231-3030 $7-$15